Marlborough Heritage Festival draws a crowd

Rain couldn’t keep away throngs of people clamoring to get their fill of chowder, and – new this year – chili at the 17th annual Heritage Festival Sunday. "Turnout has ebbed and flowed with the weather," said Heritage Festival Chairwoman Elizabeth Gowaski. She was still hopeful the festival would have its usual turnout of about 1,000 people by the end of the day.

Rain couldn’t keep away throngs of people clamoring to get their fill of chowder, and – new this year – chili at the 17th annual Heritage Festival Sunday.

"Turnout has ebbed and flowed with the weather," said Heritage Festival Chairwoman Elizabeth Gowaski. She was still hopeful the festival would have its usual turnout of about 1,000 people by the end of the day.

People walked around the blocked off portion of Main Street enjoying music, watching dancers, getting freebies from local businesses, buying from craftsmen and learning about nonprofit organizations.

One of the festival’s biggest draws was the Chowder and Chili Fest, which featured nine area restaurants competing for judge and fan favorites.

Chili was added to the menu this year as organizers said they were hoping to mix things up.

Haas said she and her husband bring their two kids to the Heritage Festival every year, braving all types of bad weather, to enjoy what they consider the best chowder festival around.

"It is such a great deal and you get so much chowder," Haas said.

Haas wasn’t the only one skeptical of the chili addition, though.

"I’ve been getting yelled at a bit, actually," said Sully’s owner Rick Sullivan as he spooned out bowls of chili.

Sullivan said he’s been participating in the Chowder Fest since its inception, but has never won.

"Maybe our odds will be a little better this year with the chili," Sullivan said.

Chowder fans did not despair, though, as one of the annual favorites, Kennedy’s Restaurant, was again serving up their famous chowder to chilly attendees.

"People seem to be enjoying it," said owner Carolyn Kennedy. "And there’s a great turnout despite the weather."

The festival also featured its morning road race, the Main Street Mile, and the awarding of a Heritage Hero.

This year’s Heritage Hero award went to Joan Abshire, a 20-year veteran of the Marlborough Historical Society.

"We have a great history in Marlborough and many people know about it through her," said Susanne Morreale Leeber, president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, which helps run the festival. "We try to give it to someone who has given back over the years."